What's behind detention of Singapore armored vehicles?

This armored vehicle without the canvas has a plate number reading "Military X-15245" in traditional Chinese character, and the "Military X-1" series of plates are said to be belonged to the Taiwan "Defense Ministry". Based on analysis of the exposed armored vehicle, it is the eight-wheeled AV-81 Terrex made by Singapore. (File photo)

According to information released by various sides, the detention wasn't a carefully designed "plot". In terms of shipping route, the cargo ship didn't go from Taiwan directly to Singapore, but somehow berthed at Xiamen and Hong Kong.

The armored vehicles didn't have to apply for customs clearance as long as they didn't "land". But, the carrier not only landed and stocked those military equipment, but also didn't apply for clearance.

Was it a careless mistake or a self-injuring trick? The combination, rise and decline of the national forces are reshaping the international landscape today.

BEIJING, Dec. 20 (ChinaMil) -- The Hong Kong customs had a routine inspection of ships berthing at the Kwai Chung container terminal as usual on November 23, 2016. On a cargo ship from Taiwan to Singapore via Hong Kong, the Customs officers detected simulated military goods in three containers and nine real armored vehicles in other nine containers.

"The Chinese side has lodged representations with the Singaporean side, asking them to act in strict accordance with relevant laws of the Hong Kong SAR and cooperate with the SAR government to properly deal with follow-up matters," said China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang at a regular press conference on November 28.

However, while Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan claimed "we won't allow any individual event to hijack the Singapore-China relation", he also emphasized that the military cooperation with Taiwan was a "special arrangement".

In response, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said at the regular press conference on December 7 that "we hope Singapore can fully abide by the One-China policy as well as relevant laws and regulations of the Hong Kong SAR."

Singapore and China's Hong Kong and Taiwan have been dragged into this Rashomon where truth, imaginations and lies are intertwined.